Peugeot 5008: technological, functional and comfortable SUV. What the electric version offers and how it goes

Long a permanent presence in Peugeot's ranks, today the 5008 number is the result of new factors that detach it from the past although, again, linking it to the 3008. In fact, even the new 5008 SUV derives from the more compact 3008 with which it shares part of the appearance and numerous technologies, from electrification to driver assistance and connectivity. The 5008 grabs the record of being the only seven-seater SUV that even with electric powertrains offers an interior for seven people.

The 5008 is the first car from Stellantis to use the stretched version from the Stla Medium platform brought out by the 3008, with which it shares five electrified powertrains. The range starts with the version powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged hybrid engine with 48 V technology with 136 horsepower mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and continues with a plug-in hybrid powertrain integrating a 1.6-litre petrol engine with 195 horsepower also with 345 Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. This 5008 can travel some eighty kilometres in electric mode and has a 17.8 kWh battery that recharges fully in five and a half hours with 3.7 kW AC and in less than three hours with the optional 7.4 kW charger. The offer continues with three full-electric versions, which are called E-5008: two variants are front-wheel drive, one with 210 horsepower and one long range with 230 horsepower, and one is four-wheel drive powered by a twin-engine system with 320 horsepower. These versions are powered by a battery with Nmc chemistry, i.e. nickel, manganese and cobalt, of 73 kWh for the 210-horsepower and 320-horsepower versions and 96 kWh for the 230-horsepower version, rechargeable both with alternating current up to 11 kW and with direct current up to 160 kW with which electricity can be recovered from 20 to 80% in half an hour. As far as autonomy is concerned, Peugeot currently only claims that of the entry level version, which is just over 500 kilometres. The Stla Medium architecture has made it possible to equip the new series of the 5008 with more than forty Adas to generate a level 2 semi-assisted driving system, which also includes the automatic lane change function.

With a length of 4.79 metres, a width of 1.89 metres, a height of 1.69 metres and a wheelbase of 2.90 metres, the 5008 differs from the 3008 not only in its more robust build, but also with a profile that does not wink at that of the SUV coupes like that of its sister car. The line is the result of a clean but not minimalist design and follows that of the 3008 up to the middle of the side, then it develops with a rather horizontal roofline intended to benefit the availability of height space for those sitting in the third row of seats and ending with a spoiler above the tailgate. The latter contrasts the verticality of the lower part of the tailgate with a slight inclination in the rear window area. A solution that contributes to giving a certain impetus to the line, but which does not penalise the intention of enhancing the volume of the boot in some way, a little like classic MPVs do. Like that of the 3008, the outfit is characterised by the design of the front end organised around the Peugeot logo and featuring a large grille, ultra-slim full LED or pixel LED front light clusters, depending on the version, which overhang the vertical daytime running lights, and muscular flanks.

The interior is furnished along the lines of that of the 3008, so we find the dashboard with its clean, linear design, which connects with the door panels and gives rise to a large console between the seats, creating two zones that envelop the front passengers. The dashboard supports the 21" mega-display of the panoramic i-cockpit slightly oriented towards the driver, which gathers the instrumentation and always-on infotainment. Also on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel are the gear selector and touch controls for customising the infotainment menu shortcuts.

The latter integrates ChatGpt artificial intelligence, wireless mirroring for devices that also recharge wirelessly, but in the upper trim still uses TomTom connected navigation. Of course, there is no lack of an app to interact remotely with the car. The interior is well finished and largely clad in green materials, offering numerous storage compartments and practical solutions for rear passengers as well. In particular, the second row seats recline, slide and are equipped with a rapid folding system that facilitates accessibility for those who have to sit in the third row. The latter, if in use position and not camouflaged in the load floor, reduces the minimum capacity of the load area from the 748 litres of the five-seater configuration to 259 litres. With all rear seats folded down, the maximum capacity is 1,815 litres and there is a 2-metre long load floor. The load floor behind the third row can be stowed vertically to increase the height of the compartment, while under the two third-row seats there is an 80-litre well for storing objects not visible from the outside.